Neighborhood News Digest- 24 April 2024

Afghanistan

OIC urges lift on Afghan women’s education, employment restrictions-The Khaama Press

The media center announced the meeting between Tariq Ali Bakheet, the special representative of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Mawlavi Abdul Kabir, the political deputy of the Taliban Prime Minister. They stated that Mr. Bakheet called for the lifting of educational and employment restrictions on women. According to the report, Mr. Bakheet praised women’s achievements in the economic sector during the meeting and called for removing restrictions on women’s education and employment. Click here to read... [2]

US State Dept: 90% of prisoners in Afghanistan are political-The Khaama Press

The US State Department, in its annual report on human rights, has stated that despite declaring a “general amnesty,” the Taliban has continued to detain citizens, especially those affiliated with the former Afghan government. The US State Department recently released a report on the human rights situation in several countries, including Afghanistan, in 2023. The report stated that 90% of Taliban prisoners are political. Click here to read... [3]

Over 3 Tons Solid and 22,000 Liters Liquid Narcotics Incinerated in Kabul-Tolo News

The counter-narcotics department of the Ministry of Interior burned more than three tons of solid narcotics and 22,000 liters of liquid narcotics today in Deh Sabz, Kabul. Ahmadullah Ahmadi, the General Director of the Police for Combating Narcotics, says that this amount of narcotics was collected from the provinces of the central zone, including Kabul, after the re-establishment of the Islamic Emirate in the country, and 9,000 people have been arrested in connection with this. Click here to read... [4]

Rise in Domestic Tourism to Badakhshan's Sites in Spring-Tolo News

The Department of Information and Culture in Badakhshan reports that the number of domestic visitors to recreational areas in this province has increased this spring. According to the department, since the beginning of the current solar year, hundreds of domestic tourists from various provinces have visited Badakhshan for leisure and entertainment. Click here to read... [5]

Bangladesh

Trade at centre stage between Dhaka, Doha - The Daily Star

Looking to diversify trade and investments in a changed geopolitical atmosphere, Qatar and Bangladesh yesterday signed 10 deals, including agreements on cooperation on ports, and overseas employment and welfare. Click here to read... [6]

25 elected unopposed in first phase of upazila polls – The Daily Star

A total of 25 candidates -- six for chairman posts, nine for vice chairman posts, and 10 for vice chairman posts reserved for women -- have been elected unopposed in the first phase of the upazila polls. Click here to read... [7]

Why the PM's upcoming visit to Thailand matters – Dhaka Tribune

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will pay a six-day official visit to Thailand from April 24, 2024 at the invitation of her Thai counterpart Srettha Thavisin to strengthen ties between the two countries. In this context, it becomes imperative to review the Dhaka-Bangkok ties and map out the importance of the visit. Click here to read... [8]

New Delhi may not prevent ‘India Out’ campaigns in Bangladesh but can definitely counter them – Firstpost

There has been an “India Out” campaign brewing in Bangladesh, though mostly on social media. It is, however, indicative of the powers vested in ruining a good relationship enjoyed by both countries. Click here to read... [9]

Bhutan

Tiger conservation conference in Paro to raise USD 1 billion – Kuensel

Thirteen tiger countries have seen a budget gap of USD 137 million in each country annually. So, they set a target to raise USD one billion multiplying the USD 137 million by ten, said the tiger alive initiative lead, WWF, Stuart Chapman, during the first ever sustainable tiger financing conference at Royal Academy, Paro, on April 23. Click here to read... [10]

Maldives

Maldives’ pro-China president has ‘nothing to block him’ after big poll win: ‘India is concerned’– South China Morning Post

A landslide win for pro-China President Mohamed Muizzu’s political party in the Maldives’ recent parliamentary elections looks set to exacerbate security concerns for India and the United States – but observers say a middle path of diplomacy may be the Indian Ocean nation’s only real option. Click here to read... [11]

Myanmar

Asean, neighbours can break Myanmar impasse - Hindustan Times

On April 17, a spokesperson of the Myanmar military government stated that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar’s most popular leader, and former president U Win Myint were moved from prison to house arrest. As part of the Thingyan festival celebrations, over 30,000 political prisoners have also been granted amnesty and were being released. Click here to read... [12]

Thailand proposed Southeast Asia meeting on Myanmar conflict - Devidiscourse

Thailand foreign ministry on Wednesday said it had proposed to ASEAN chair Laos the holding of a meeting with key Southeast Asian countries aimed at resolving the crisis in military-ruled Myanmar. Thailand circulated a proposal for Malaysia, Laos, and Indonesia to meet to address the long-running conflict said Nikorndej Balankura, adding that the meeting could be held in Thailand and "any ASEAN member may join". Click here to read... [13]

Myanmar rebel group says it withdraws from key town on Thai border - The Star

A Myanmar rebel group has withdrawn its troops from a town along the Thai border following a counteroffensive by soldiers of the ruling junta from whom the rebels had this month wrested the key trading post, an official said on Wednesday. A spokesman for the Karen National Union (KNU) said the "temporary retreat" from the town of Myawaddy came after the return of junta soldiers to the vital strategic area that is a conduit for annual foreign trade of more than $1 billion. Click here to read... [14]

Nepal

Prez Paudel solicits Qatar’s investment in Nepal’s water resources, agriculture and tourism sectors - My Republica

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir (King) of Qatar, the main labor destination of Nepalis, arrived in Kathmandu on Tuesday. He came to Kathmandu for a two-day state visit and met President Ram Chandra Paudel at Sheetal Niwas. During the meeting, President Paudel urged Qatari King Thani to consider investing in Nepal for the development and prosperity of Nepal. Qatar is known as one of the wealthiest countries globally. Recalling that Nepali workers have contributed to the development of Qatar, President Paudel asked the Qatari King to invest in Nepal's tourism, agriculture, and hydropower sectors, according to Paudel’s Press Advisor Kiran Pokharel. Click here to read... [15]

Prime Minister Dahal advocates for developing Nepal as medical education hub - Khabar Hub

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has emphasized the importance of addressing emerging challenges in the health sector while striving to develop Nepal into a hub of medical education. During his speech at the first convocation ceremony of the Patan Academy of Health Sciences, PM Dahal urged relevant agencies to prioritize the resolution of issues plaguing the health sector. Click here to read... [16]

Pakistan

Ready to share tech prowess with Pakistan, says Iran President Raisi-Dawn

Tehran is ready to exchange its prowess in industry, science, and technology with Pakistan, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said after visiting Lahore and Karachi on Tuesday amid strict security during his three-day trip to the country. Speaking at a ceremony at the Chief Minister House in Karachi, he said Iran made strides in these fields despite “unfavourable conditions” and was ready to exchange this knowledge with Islamabad. Click here to read... [17]

Raisi, Shehbaz jointly inaugurate Iran Avenue in Islamabad-Dawn

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday jointly inaugurated the newly-constructed portion of 11th Avenue after renaming it as Iran Avenue. Earlier on Sunday, the federal government renamed 11the Avenue as Iran Avenue. Click here to read... [18]

Foreign loan target missed amid major slippages-Dawn

Pakistan received only about $9.8 billion in foreign loans and grants in the first nine months (July-March) of the current fiscal year, far behind the annual target of $17.4bn, amid major slippages in raising international financial support. The disbursements appeared to be slowing down as the country received less than $204 million in foreign loans in March compared to $318m in February, according to official data. Click here to read... [19]

Sri Lanka

IMF third tranche hinges on proposed PFM Act: Dr. Coomaraswamy – Daily Mirror

The proposed Public Financial Management (PFM) Act remains crucial for the disbursement of the third tranche under the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) US$ 3 billion bailout package, stressed Former Central Bank (CB) Governor and economist, Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy. Click here to read... [20]

Sri Lanka took minimal steps to punish officials who committed human rights abuses: US report – Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka took minimal steps to identify and punish officials who may have committed human rights abuses, the 2023 report issued by the US State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour on Sri Lanka's Human Rights Practices has alleged. Click here to read... [21]

Loosening fiscal squeeze could derail IMF programme commitments: Economist – Daily Mirror

A top economist yesterday raised concerns over the “loosening of fiscal squeeze” by authorities to stimulate economic growth. Since doing so could lead to potential risks of jeopardising Sri Lanka’s agreements with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Click here to read... [22]